Chapter 283 - Fake girlfriend (4)

In Jeff's apartment, Jeff held JoAnna in his embrace for a long time after conference call ended.

"You should go to work..." JoAnna reminded him.

"I can go later." Jeff wanted to make sure she is feeling OK. JoAnna was visibly shaken up when Sophia said that Greg is still not apprehended.

"You have security outside. No one can come close to you. You are safe here.", Jeff was soothing her.

"The only place I feel truly safe is right here." JoAnna snuggled deeper into his hug.

Jeff felt his heart swell, knowing that she feels safe with him. He was elated to hear confirmation that she is relying on him.

"Uhm… I will need to go shopping later." JoAnna said weakly.

"Shopping? You can order online, and it will be delivered." Jeff found a solution for her to stay inside, safe.

"I need to do this in person." JoAnna persisted.

Jeff paused for a second, before coming up with another solution that works. "We can go together. Now, or when I'm back from work."

JoAnna rejected his proposal. "No. You need to go to work, and I want to do this by myself." She straightened her back and looked him in the eyes showing her resolve.

Jeff paused for some time, thinking how JoAnna said she wants to do it by herself. "Security will follow wherever you go. Be good and stay with them." He was worried that she might try to escape out of their sight.

"You worry too much." JoAnna was touched how much he cares about her safety.

Jeff cradled JoAnna in his arms and held her tightly. "Only when it concerns you..." Jeff kissed her forehead and reminded her, "When I'm not around, stay close to them. They will drive you wherever you want to go."

…

Later that day, JoAnna called Sarah. "How are things at work? Any new rumors about Jeff and that woman?"

Sarah laughed. "Wow! Is that jealousy I hear?" She was entertained to hear JoAnna talk like this.

"Can you, please, not tease me? ...and answer my question."

Sarah saw that JoAnna is not in the mood for joking and did her best to stop laughing. "OK. OK... Sorry to pour salt on a wound... I'm keeping an ear out. My friend, Bridgette is very interested in the topic, and she is on the same floor with Martha, so I have THE latest information... Martha is saying confidently that she knows that Jeff is not gay, she also talked how well he is performing in bed... And it seems that she showed visually how great of a kisser he is. I don't know how she did that, but the exact words Bridgette used are: 'showed visually'."

JoAnna clenched her teeth, trying to suppress her anger. 'Who is this impostor? How does she dare?'

After some silence, Sarah asked: "You still there?"

JoAnna exhaled loudly. "Yes."

"Oh, and she talked how they meet after work, and spend weekends together." Sarah added.

"What on earth is she thinking? How does she think this will end?" JoAnna was really frustrated.

"I don't think she is thinking far with this... Maybe she hopes for a promotion. If her boss believes that she is CEO's squeeze, she might get promoted just because her boss wants to get points from the CEO... and of course, there are bragging rights for getting her hands on a man who was untouchable so far."

"I feel like smashing her to bits!" JoAnna said through her teeth. She didn't like women who would use these methods to advance. And this one was even lying about it... and lying about Jeff! How dare that woman use Jeff to advance her image and career?

"Oh, I thought I'm the one with temper... but you know, that is not your style." Sarah reminded JoAnna that she is not the one to start a fight. JoAnna is the one who would avoid fight at any cost.

JoAnna exhaled. "I know. I will handle this my way."

"Will there be a show to watch?"

"Five o'clock. Main entrance of your office building."

"Oho! I will be there!" Sarah was excited.

"Sis, can you send me photo of that woman?"

Sarah took less than five seconds to forward Martha's photo to JoAnna. "Done."

JoAnna ended the call and looked at Martha's photo. 'How can she impersonate me? Except for hair color we are nothing alike...'

JoAnna walked to the front door. "Hello!", she greeted four bodyguards who greeted her back. "Just to let you know that in half an hour we are heading out. I need to do some shopping, and then will go to White corp. Jeff told me that you will accompany me."

Four men nodded in unison.

After confirming with bodyguards, JoAnna felt at ease, and went inside to get ready for the outing.

…

At White corp. on fifteenth floor, three women approached Martha. "We want to let you know that we will be there... to support you."

"What?" Martha was confused.

"Today, five o'clock... we heard it."

"Heard what?" Martha didn't understand what is going on.

"Wah! How modest! You still want to keep it a secret for his sake?!!" One woman exclaimed. "We already heard that Boss will meet with his girlfriend, today at five. Main entrance hallway..."

Martha felt like she is going to faint.

Woman continued talking. "I knew that he will not be able to keep your relationship secret for long. Especially after photos got published in the magazine. I guess after today we should call you Mrs. CEO." The women giggled.

Martha felt that she can't breathe. 'What is going on? What girlfriend at five o'clock...?' Her head was spinning. The thought hit her: 'Did CEO White find out and wants to expose me?' Then she thought that even if that is the case, what can she do? All these women think that she will be announced as CEO's girlfriend at five o'clock today… On the other hand, he did smile at her during that presentation. What if he does want to tell everyone that she is his girlfriend?